Hollywood Casino Columbus

Cadillac winner says she feels 'very blessed'

Enlarge ImageRequest to buy this photoOn Nov. 15, Deborah Jones, a Grove City resident, was the grand prize winner of a drawing at Hollywood Casino Columbus. Top prize was a brand new 2013 Cadillac CTS.

On Nov. 15, Jones, a Grove City resident, was the grand prize winner of a drawing at Hollywood Casino Columbus. Top prize was a brand new 2013 Cadillac CTS.

Jones said it's an unbelievable feeling to have won.

"I was in the back playing the penny slots when they called my name," she said. "I've never ever won anything like that."

At the time, Jones said she wasn't even aware she had been entered into the drawing. Guests at the casino who use Marquee Rewards card accumulate points while playing. For every 25 tier points earned, players were given one entry into the giveaway, which was how Jones was entered into it.

The reaction Jones said she gets from people who find she won the Cadillac is "Wow."

"I didn't sleep that night," she said. "I'm still very excited. It's exhausting."

The grand prize winner was offered a choice between the Cadillac and $25,000, and Jones went with the car. The money, Jones said, is something that would have been spent, but the car is something tangible to hold on to for a long time to commemorate the win.

"It's something you can touch," she said.

It also helps, Jones said, that she and her husband, Gary, were at the time talking about replacing her 2000 Sequoia, but for now, they'll be keeping both vehicles.

Jones, along with her husband, son and daughter, have lived in Grove City for 16 years.

The family is originally from Virginia.

"Our first real road trip will be home to Virginia for Christmas," she said. "(The Cadillac will) certainly come in handy for vacations."

Going to the casino for the penny slots is one activity Jones said she and her husband enjoy doing together, along with playing golf and hunting.

"We do everything together," she said. "Family is very important to us."

While her husband is retired from AEP, Jones works from home as a part-time business manager for a pair of Great Clips franchisees.